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#BusinessTipTuesday – National Puzzle Day

Yesterday, January 29th, was National Puzzle Day and this week’s #BusinessTipTuesday will be all about it! In a jigsaw puzzle the pieces must fit perfectly together in order to form a clear picture, in a crossword puzzle each letter must line up to make a word from all angles, and in a Sudoku puzzle the numbers must contain all digits from one to nine. Regardless of the type of puzzle each piece, letter, or number must fit perfectly in order for the puzzle to be completed and successful. Puzzles are just like any business, with different pieces that fit together in order to form solid and complete entity. Before you complete a puzzle you have a clear intention of what it needs to look like at the end which is the same for a business and directly relates to the importance of that business’s vision, mission, and goals. Ensuring that all of this information is clear to your employees is vital to the success of your business!

Sometimes the difference between each of these is unclear, so to guarantee a complete understanding of each, let’s break down each statement. The vision makes up a clear picture of what the organization should look like in the future, and the statement should challenge yet inspire employees. Essentially, this vision statement displays what the company would look like in 5 years if it has achieved its goals. The mission simply is the reason for the company’s existence. The mission statement should answer the questions of what it is the business does, for whom business is intended, and how business is conducted. Goals are expected and desired outcomes. They are usually general statements that can be measured and accomplished. It is clear that each of these statements have a distinct difference, yet each work together to create a unified and solid piece of a business.

For every business having clear vision, mission, and goal statements will help to determine the company’s direction and set a pure intention for the company’s future. Everyone understands where the company is heading and what is expected. Additionally, while working employees can refer to these statements whenever they need to make decisions or come to conclusions. The statements serve as guidelines to regularly keep employees on the right track. As well, it helps to outline the strategy of a company; as the strategies implemented and executed by the business must be directly related to the vision, mission, and goals. Finally, the statements can facilitate healthy discussion and change; as when the topics come up, the business has the ability to go back and make sure that anything that is new matches the business’s clear statements.

If the vision, mission, and goals are all clearly stated, recognized, and performed the business will be setup for success. Very similar to a puzzle all these pieces must be there for it to be complete. You cannot finish the puzzle if the center piece is missing, so how could you expect the business to be productive if you are missing the mission statement! If creating or revising vision, mission, or goal statements are something that your business needs help with, reach out to us at The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center. We are happy to help with all your business needs. Check us out at, www.scrantonsbdc.com.

Danielle Guari
Business Consultant
The University of Scranton
Small Business Development Center

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